File No. 839.00/960.
The Secretary of State to the American Minister.
Washington, November 24, 1913—7 p.m.
Convey to the President the following in regard to the coming elections:
As the condition upon which peace was restored, free and fair elections were guaranteed by the Government of the United States. It is therefore incumbent upon this nation not only to use its good offices to secure such elections but from the standpoint of the Dominican Government it is also imperative that the election should be so conducted as to give no reasonable excuse for criticism. A free election is possible only when all qualified voters are permitted to vote and the votes counted as cast.
You will therefore confer with the President and urge such regulations as will permit free access to the polls of all qualified voters.
As to the counting of the vote, one thing above all others is necessary in order to give confidence, namely, that the minority party as well as the Government party shall have judges of its own selection at all polling-places. There should therefore be at least two judges at each polling-place, and at least one of these should not only belong to the opposition but should be selected by the opposition. As three parties will present candidates, the greatest satisfaction would be given by an arrangement giving one judge to each party. But if you cannot secure this you should at any rate be able to secure the selection of the opposition judge from the party that has the greater strength in his own precinct or section. These judges should make a record of all contests, and the contests should be heard before a general canvassing board on which all three of the parties would be represented. It would be well for you to be present at the canvassing to give advice and lend your influence in behalf of absolute impartiality.
This Government is of course indifferent as to which party succeeds. It merely desires the maintenance of constitutional government; and there, as here, constitutional government means that the people shall rule and have what they want in the matters of policies and offices.
I take it for granted that during the campaign freedom of speech will be allowed, so that each party can present its cause to the voters. If you observe anyone tending to interfere with freedom of speech, show him how essential freedom of speech is to popular government.
You have succeeded admirably in securing peace and we hope that your success will be as pronounced in securing the only guaranty of peace—a free and fair election.